Web Design References

Web Design Glossary: I

I

@import rule

In
CSS
, the '@import' rule allows users to import style rules from
other style sheets. Any @import rules must precede all rule
sets in a style sheet. The '@import' keyword must be followed
by the URI of the style sheet to include. A string is also
allowed; it will be interpreted as if it had url(...) around
it.

ID Attributes and Selectors

Document languages may contain attributes that are
declared to be of type ID. What makes attributes of type ID
special is that no two such attributes can have the same
value; whatever the document language, an ID attribute can be
used to uniquely identify its element. In
HTML
all ID attributes are named "id";
XML
applications may name ID attributes differently, but the
same restriction applies.The ID attribute of a document
language allows authors to assign an identifier to one
element instance in the document tree.
CSS
ID selectors match an element instance based on its
identifier. A
CSS
ID selector contains a "#" immediately followed by the ID
value. ID selectors have a higher precedence than attribute
selectors. For example, in
HTML
, the selector #p123 is more specific than [ID=p123] in
terms of the cascade.

If Structure

In programming, an if structure allows you to execute
select lines of code only when specified conditions are
true.

If...Else Structure

In programming, an if ...else structure executes a
statement based on the value of if. If the tested condition
returns false, PHP allows you to specify another block of
code to be executed using the else keyword. Each of these
conditionally executed blocks of code is known as a branch,
and each branch must be placed within braces if it contains
more than one line of code.

Image Map

An image map is an image that has either a region or regions that act as a hyperlink.

Inclusive Design

Inclusive design means developing systems or web sites
flexible enough to serve the broadest possible range of
users. Inclusive design calls for adaptable interfaces to be
built into the product early in the design phase, producing
features easily used by everyone. It allows for customization
based on user preference. It provides equivalent access to
content (e.g. auditory and visual) based on user preference.
Inclusive design provides access to users with disabilities
and provides better usability for everyone.

Information and Communications Technology
(ICT)

A generic name for all of the technologies involved with
communicating with computers.

Information Architect

A person who organizes inherent patterns in data to make
complexities clear. He or she uncovers patterns and
relationships and then structures content allowing users to
find paths to knowledge.

Information Architecture

Information architecture is the organization of
information. This field studies how to organize information
most effectively to help people find and use the information.
It also refers to the structure or organization of a website,
especially how pages relate to one another.

A mechanism in
CSS
by which some values are passed down to the children of an
element in the document tree. Each property defines whether
it is inherited or not. It is the mechanism by which styles
applied to an element are assumed by any descendant
elements.

Inline Box

In
CSS
, the inline box is the addition of (half-)leading to the
content-area for each element. For for replaced elements
height of the inline box of an element will be exactly equal
to the intrinsic height of the element plus any margins,
borders, or padding. For non-replaced elements height of the
inline box of a non-replaced element will be exactly equal to
the value for line-height.

Inline Element

Inline (also known as "text level") elements typically
contain text and other inline elements. When rendered
visually, inline elements do not usually begin on a new line.
Inline content is displayed with no line breaks before and
afterwards. Examples of inline elements include emphasised
text, strong text and links.

Inline Style Sheet

An inline style controls the appearance of a single
element. CSS rule(s) are placed in the HTML via the style
attribute. With inline, style and content are intermingled in
the body of the document.

Inquiry

Inquiry is a broad category of usability evaluation
methods. It is part one of the "Usability Evaluation
Toolbox". With inquiry methods usability evaluators obtain
information about users' likes, dislikes, needs, and
understanding of the system by talking to them, observing
them using the system in real work (not for the purpose of
usability testing), or letting them answer questions verbally
or in written form. Numerous methods exist for doing
inquiries. For more information consult
Inquiry.

Inspection

Inspection is a broad category of usability evaluation
methods. It is part two of the "Usability Evaluation
Toolbox". In the inspection approach, usability specialists,
users and other professionals examine usability related
aspects of a user interface. Numerous methods exist for doing
inquiries. For more information consult
Inspection.

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to serve users worldwide.

Inverted Pyramid

The inverted pyramid is a type of writing style where
conclusions are presented first not last. It begins with a
conclusion then moves to the key information followed by
background information. Usability studies show that web users
want instant gratification. That is why the inverted pyramid
style is important. For more information consult
Inverted
Pyramids in Cyberspace
by Jakob Nielsen.

Iterative Design

Iterative design is a process where a web site
progressively develops in a repeated cycle. Iteration is
repeated revisions.